CHEM 218 (Chemical Principles II) is a three-credit introductory chemistry course that is a continuation of CHEM 217 (Chemical Principles I). This course covers chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base and solubility equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, the chemistry of metals and non-metals, nuclear chemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. CHEM 218 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for CHEM 209.
CHEM 218 requires students to have completed CHEM 217 prior to enrolling into CHEM 218. Students should be aware that concurrent registration in CHEM 217 and 218 is not permitted. In order for students to avoid unnecessary delays, the course professor will normally grant permission for students to register in CHEM 218 as soon as the final examination in CHEM 217 has been written. The combination of CHEM 217 and CHEM 218 is the equivalent to first-year university chemistry.
If you are interested in learning more about Chemical Principles I, read my in-depth Course Exam article on CHEM 217.
Chemical Principles II is made up of laboratory work worth a total of twenty percent, some tutor-marked assignments weighing twenty percent, a midterm examination for twenty percent, and a final examination weighing a total of forty percent. To receive credit for CHEM 218, students must complete all of the course work and achieve an overall composite grade of at least a “D” or fifty percent, and at least fifty percent on each of the two examinations. Registration for this course also includes two e-textbooks.
CHEM 218 has a compulsory laboratory component which includes two days of supervised laboratory sessions. Credit may be obtained for equivalent laboratory work carried out within the last five years at a recognized college or university. Laboratory sessions are normally scheduled in Edmonton and Calgary. Up-to-date information regarding the laboratory schedule can be found on the Centre for Science website.
To help you complete this course, students should purchase an electronic calculator capable of handling logarithms and exponentials. Students are able to take their calculators to both the midterm and final examinations and can be used in laboratory sessions. Other items to consider purchasing are stationery, including paper for assignments, pens, pencils, a ruler, etc.
Heather Fox is enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Human Sciences program at Athabasca University and she hopes to be finished in just over a year. She has also completed both CHEM 217 and CHEM 218 at AU. She introduces herself, “My name is Heather and I am a stay at home mom in Calgary, Alberta to twin toddlers and a teenager. I work from home running a successful Etsy shop, and also volunteer on the side for our local twin association.”
When asked to explain CHEM 218 to students, Heather states “This course built up on what was learned in CHEM 217. This covered an introduction to acid-base reactions, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and a basic introduction to organic chemistry. The textbook for this course was the same as CHEM 217.”
As for the structure of the course, Heather explains that CHEM 218 “Had four assignments, a midterm, a final and lab reports. I feel the same about the assignments as CHEM 217, they were applicable and helpful. The labs were done on site, I was able to do them in Calgary over a weekend. The lab staff was great and very helpful, and it was an enjoyable time. The lab reports were the same as CHEM 217, although they required to be a bit longer and more in-depth. The exams were reflective of the material and there were practice exams to use to prepare. I felt there was enough practice material provide to prepare you for the exams.”
Heather would recommend CHEM 218 to students, stating “I found the whole of the course quite easy and the format was easy to follow. I also had no issues with my tutor. My exams and assignments were marked quickly and they were always quick to reply to emails. I have no complaints at all.”
As for tips and tricks to completing this course, she states to “Practice, practice, practice! I recommend doing all of the practice questions at the end of each chapter, and review the practice midterm and final when preparing for the exam.”
Whether CHEM 218 is a degree or program requirement of yours, or the content discussed above is of interest to you, this course will have you learning a lot of interesting material surrounding chemical principles.
